Creating Compassion with Cardboard Boxes

Published: Nov 20, 2009

UT students are starting to feel what it might be like to be homeless.

During
Hunger and Homelessness Week Nov. 16-20, they have heard real life
stories from people who were previously homeless in a Faces of
Homelessness speakers panel, have witnessed a symbolic distribution of
the world’s food in the Oxfam Hunger Banquet and they set out cardboard
boxes for a 24-hour experience of what it might be like to not have a
home.

“It opens your eyes up and breaks down your stereotypes,”
said Mike Seitzler '10, one of the two head coordinators of the PEACE
Volunteer Center.

In the Faces of Homelessness panel, the students learned from the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County
that the number one reason for homelessness is a lack affordable
housing. The speakers gave attendants tips for interacting with homeless
people; saying hello can make more of an impact that one might think.

“It means a lot to acknowledge that they are there,” Seitzler said. “It lets them know you care.”

Hillsborough
County has the highest rate of homelessness in the state, according to
the coalition, and comprises 20 percent of the homeless individuals in
Florida.

“Becoming involved and educating yourself on this issue
is part of being a student at UT, because being a student here means
being a part of the community,” said Hannah Duprey '10, the other head
coordinator of PEACE. “It’s part of being a citizen. If you’re a voter,
you’ll face this issue. Walking down the streets, you’ll face this
issue.”

Since 2000, PEACE has coordinated the week-long events
to get students thinking about the issues of hunger and homelessness,
but now they are realizing it’s too big of an issue.

“One week
is not enough,” said Megan Frisque, assistant director of civic
engagement in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement.

Starting
Nov. 30, an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer will be on campus full-time,
working on a year-long campaign focused on this issue as one of her
major projects.

“As an institution of higher education, it is
our responsibility to educate students on issues in our city,” Frisque
said. “This initiative will provide students a better understanding of
homelessness and an opportunity to serve members of the homeless
community.”